10 Best Psychological Movies

The 10 best psychological movies span many decades, but they are the best because of their edge-of-the-seat thrills and because they keep people guessing around every corner. The purpose of psychological movies is to make the mind think and make people frightened and fearful without all of the gore and blood.

“Seven” came out in 1995 and gave people a reason for fear. In this movie, the seven deadly sins are used in a murderous spree. It is a clever serial killer who finds something so interesting to base his killings on. This interestingly psychological film stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey.

“Rear Window” is an Alfred Hitchcock classic from 1954. This movie tells the tale of a laid up photographer who spies something ominous going on across the way in his apartment community. This film questions whether boredom makes people see things that aren't happening, but it takes it to a whole other level. This psychological movie stars James Stewart and Grace Kelly.

“American Psycho” came out in 2000 and showed peoplethat serial killers could appear to be just like everyone else. It also had watchers wondering if Patrick Bateman really existed and if so was he really killing all of these people. A psychological thriller to the fullest, this movie stars Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Reese Witherspoon and Jared Leto.

“Silence of the Lambs” is a leader in psychological films. This 1991 movie introduced the world to the mind and madness of Dr. Hannibal Lecter. This thriller stars Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins.

“Donnie Darko” is another psychological film that had watchers guessing until the very end about what was reality and what wasn't. This 2001 showed that maybe alternative realities do exist, or many insanity is the only alternative. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Patrick Swayze.

“Psycho” is another classic Hitchcock film from 1960 that is a best in psychological movies. This movie showed murder, but it was more of a thought than an action. This is the original thriller film, starring Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles and Janet Leigh.

“Mulholland Drive” is another weird and twisted tale that has the film watcher trying to figure out what may or may not be real. This 2001 David Lynch film stars Naomi Watts, Laura Harring and Justin Theroux.

“Cape Fear” is about a convicted rapist who terrorizes a family. This 1991 shows Robert De Niro at his best and most frightening. This edge-of-the-seat psychological thriller also stars Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis.

“Memento” is not a very scary psychological film, but it does make one think. In 2000, this film came out about a guy with no short term memory who is trying to figure out who murdered his wife. A clever and confusing film starring Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss.

“Fatal Attraction” will always be most memorable for the families pet bunny boiling on the stove. This 1987 psychological movie proved that one night stands are a bad thing. This stalker film stars Michael Douglas and Glenn Close.